A thought on the air show

Apr. 20, 2009

I am a generally upbeat, optimistic, and hopeful man. I believe in people. I like to have fun and try not to be too serious about being serious. But Saturday, as weapons of mass destruction flew over downtown Louisville, I allowed myself to think — for a moment — that if humanity were miraculously saved from its blindness and stupidity it would remain blind and stupid.

SAM AVERY

Louisville 40207

I have no doubt that you will shortly begin receiving letters from the usual band of sourballs complaining about Thunder Over Louisville. As they do every year, they will complain about the traffic, the parking, the noise, their asthma, their allergies, the expense of the show, how their pets were frightened by the fireworks, and finish up with some finger-wagging about the environment and the glorification of the military-industrial complex. Here's what I experienced Saturday:

My husband and I parked our car at a friend's house near Broadway and Baxter and rode our bikes to Slugger Field (1.25 miles, which even an out-of-shape duffer like me can do.) Our bikes were parked for us for free by courteous, well-organized Bike Louisville volunteers directly behind Slugger Field. Throughout the day, we all enjoyed the ballgame (the Bats won!) and the air show (the F-16s are my favorite!) After the game, we walked around the ballpark and Waterfront Park for a few hours.

Everywhere I looked, I saw children laughing and running and playing and having a wonderful time. I saw families together, playing games, picnicking, and enjoying quality time with each other and their friends.

What can I say about the fireworks? They were, in every sense of the word, awesome. People of all ages were thrilled and cheering. The little kids I saw around me were literally jumping up and down and shrieking with delight. For some of those children and their families, this may have been the happiest day they've had in awhile.

I can hardly imagine the time and effort it must take to organize and execute such a huge show, not to mention what it takes to bring it all off, year after year, with scarcely a hitch. I would like to thank all who were involved in putting on this show, all of the sponsors and volunteers and workers and Louisville Metro employees, all of the military personnel, and all of the EMS and fire and law enforcement personnel, especially those with traffic duty. Folks, your hard work gave

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many, many people a really wonderful day to remember.Chris CestaroLouisville 40205

Congratulations to the Metro Police, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the other people directing traffic after Thunder. We parked on Jefferson Street near Clay and were home in the Highlands in 20 minutes -- 700,000 people and home in 20 minutes.

Now we hear that the Fairgrounds will allow automatic ticket takers at Fairground events to improve traffic control. I can see me in line behind someone searching through their wallet for a credit card to put in a slot. Unless we get in the right spot at the Fairgrounds for a U of L basketball game we are looking at least 45 minutes to get out of the Fairgrounds.

Let me see: 19,000 people at a basket ball game, 45 minutes; 700,000 people at Thunder and home in 20.

Maybe we needed a new arena just for better traffic flow. Put Metro police in charge of Fairgrounds traffic flow.Joe ElderLouisville 40204

I was appalled at what the PARC garages were charging on Thunder day. It was $20 to park in a space that wouldn't have normally been used at that time! In these "tough economic times," why did the city charge that much? When I made a comment to the attendant taking the cash, she replied, "Can you find anywhere cheaper?" Gosh, what a great attitude! I know that she wasn't making $20 an hour to collect the dough and those parking spots would have normally sat empty on any other Saturday, so I am wondering where the cash went. With a carload full of kids wanting to watch that boom-boom-pow....I felt like I was being held by Somali pirates. What a way to have a family friendly environment!Jennifer PruettLouisville 40216

I now see, why our paper is "littered" with whining peoples complaints about the storm debris. We have those same people going to Thunder and leaving

their trash on the lawn for "The City" to pick up!! How appalling! The picture in the paper of all this trash only goes to show people how truly lazy people really are!! Yes, I'm sure we had visitors from other states. But there were more Louisvillians, than anyone else there. 66,000 pounds of trash, people?! Seriously?! You can't even pick up after yourselves when you go out for a day on the town? Come on, people. How about helping keep our city clean, by picking up after yourself and your family!Patricia McIntyreJeffersonville, Ind., 47130